2 Corinthians 10:1-18
Paul had not been able to bring himself to go amongst the Corinthians "with the rod" to curb the evil personally (2 Corinthians 10:2; 1 Corinthians 4:21). He had preferred to write to them and await the result that his letter would produce. But some had taken advantage of the patience of the apostle to belittle his ministry. The humility, the gentleness and the Christian good nature which Paul displayed (v. 1) were made a pretext for despising him. For the natural man only admires what is striking; he judges "after the outward appearance" (v. 7). Now the weapons of a soldier of Jesus Christ are not carnal (v. 4). Ephesians 6:10 . . . gives a list of them. Let us remind ourselves how Gideon, Samson, Jonathan, David, Hezekiah . . . to name but a few, won their great victories. And let us not be misled by human qualities such as eloquence or personal charm. Let us follow the Word and never the one who presents it, however gifted he may be, even if we have received blessing through him.
Men compare themselves with others and become proud, a sign of their lack of wisdom (v. 12). We believers have only one example for our walk and service, an example who always humbles us, when we compare ourselves with Him. It is the Lord Jesus.